FSRB Liaison Officer – ESAAMLG, Dar-es-Salaam

PRESENTATION & CONTEXT

In the last decade, illicit financial outflows from Africa have reached a level almost equivalent to the combined total annual inflows of official development assistance (ODA) and foreign direct investment (FDI) received by African countries. This vast volume of capital generated and moved illegally not only jeopardises the integrity of financial systems and the continent’s socio-economic development by stripping countries of much needed resources, but also has a devastating impact on countries’ governance, the rule of law and collective security. Indeed, much of these illicit financial flows (IFFs) stem from criminal activities and are laundered and/or used to fuel corruption, organised crime, terrorism, and related harmful activities. It is in this context that the present action aims to tackle the nexus between IFFs and transnational organised crime (TOC) in Sub-Saharan Africa, by emphasising the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). In doing so, it aims to contribute to an increase in resource mobilisation, stabilisation, and security on the continent. 

The Action will build upon two regional capacity-building projects on AML/CFT, both coming to an end in 2024 and covering Eastern, Central and Southern Africa^[1]; and Western Africa^[2]. Applying a “follow and recover the money approach”, it will be implemented at national, regional and inter-regional levels in Sub-Saharan Africa and will leverage a comprehensive multi-stakeholder engagement strategy to maximise and sustain the results across the continent. It will also promote cooperation, knowledge exchange and the sharing of best practices between European and African practitioners. 

The Overall Objective (Impact) of this action is to contribute to the fight against illicit financial flows linked to transnational organised crime, money laundering and terrorist financing with the ultimate goal of increasing domestic resource mobilisation, stabilisation and security in Sub-Saharan Africa.

To achieve this general objective, the action offers to work in an integrated manner at all relevant levels of intervention: at national level, regional level and at the level of civil society. Consequently, the Specific Objectives (Outcomes) of this action are:

1. National capacities, including law enforcement and judicial capacities to prevent and counter IFFs linked to transnational organised crime, money laundering and the financing of terrorism are strengthened and Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-compliant;
2. Effective regional and inter-regional cooperation and information sharing in the fight against IFFs, money laundering and the financing of terrorism is enhanced;
3. Increased public awareness and civil society’s role promote greater transparency and hold States accountable to take action against IFFs and organised crime.

These objectives will be implemented through the deployment of five teams: a Project Management Unit (PMU) seating in Brussels, Belgium and in charge of steering the action, as well as four regional hubs, in Cameroon, Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania, tasked with the delivery of activities. Addressing the large number of countries targeted under this action will require varied levels of intensity, in particular for engagement at national level, outlined as follows: 

Regional engagement will be conducted in support of existing processes between peer-jurisdiction or through supporting key organisations, such as FATF-Styled Regional Bodies (FSRBs). Finally, the civil society will be mainly supported through grants, targeted to civil society organisations (CSO), consortiums of investigative journalists, whistle-blowers and/or research labs to support investigations and research on the fight against IFF.

The present Action is expected to be a substantial building block of the continental Team Europe Initiative to support Africa in Combatting Illicit Financial Flows and related Transnational Organised Crime (TEI IFF-TOC). It will contribute to all three associated components and be implemented in coordination with TEI’s members parallel initiatives.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Primary Objectives

- Ensure coordination with the FSRB (ESAAMLG) as key regional actor; 

- Plan the programme of work destined to ESAAMLG;

- Support ESAAMLG and SecFin in organising and delivering joint activities 

- Engage FSRB on a specific collaboration platform.

Specific Roles

- accountable for developing new tools and innovative approaches with ESAAMLG (and experts);

- drafts ToRs for activities with short-term experts and oversees implementation of the activities; 

- advises and supports ESAAMLG’s needs-based and is involved in stakeholder management linking up ESAAMLG with other regional partners;

- represents the hub lead/ the programme towards ESAAMLG for the Southern and Eastern regions - better: liaising between the project hub team and the FSRB. 

REQUIRED PROFILE

Professional Experience and Core Competencies

• Have a degree in a discipline related to law, law enforcement or relevant discipline;
• Working experience in the region covered by the project would be an asset;
• Have at least ten (10) years relevant experience in the criminal justice system including:
• FIU Analysis, Investigating or prosecuting money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation offences;
• Dealing or assisting in asset forfeiture work, as well as with requests for mutual legal assistance, extradition, or other international cooperation issues related to money laundering and terrorist financing.
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the FATF Recommendations, Interpretative Notes and the Methodology.
• Understanding of the work of other regional and international organisations involved in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, including the FATF.
• Have a clear understanding of money laundering, terrorist and proliferation financing issues in the ESAAMLG region.
• Demonstrate expertise in undertaking an assessment of AML/CFT frameworks and systems, and their effectiveness in deterring money laundering, terrorist and proliferation financing.
• Have solid knowledge of law enforcement work, including the different types of investigations, asset forfeiture and prosecution, and the relationship between these sectors with the Financial Intelligence Units;
• Have proven ability to conduct thorough analysis of ideas, reports, laws, regulations, publications, and make reasonable conclusions;
• Excellent command of English, spoken and written is essential.  French and/or Portuguese will be an added advantage;
• Have ability to identify, analyse needs and challenges/barriers and propose solutions;
• Have ability to establish professional relations in a bilateral and/or multilateral framework;
• Have ability to engage with governments at all levels;
• Have ability to negotiate and facilitate inter-institutional dialogues; and
• Have excellent communication and report writing skills: ability to articulate ideas verbally, when reading and in writing in a clear and compelling way across audiences of varied levels.

Other requirements

• The ideal candidate should come from a country under ESAAMLG responsibility or at least have extensive experience working in one or more of these countries.
• Drive for results: have a drive to accomplish desired results involving multiple stakeholders and the ability to find solutions to obstacles affecting key deliverables;
• Team Work and Group Interpersonal Skills: ability to accommodate diverse views, ideas and approaches to ensure that the stakeholders remains organised and focussed; 
• Behavioural Skills: ability to quickly adopt the mind-set needed in the ESAAMLG family- adaptability, resilience, determination, sound judgement, respecting and maintaining the confidentiality of information shared with government officials, private sector and other stakeholders;
• Have effective time management skills;
• Have a drive to seek effective and practical ways of doing things to improve the success of ESAAMLG;
• Commitment to deliver timely and high-quality work; 
• Ability to work in teams and on multiple files in parallel; and
• Proficiency in MS Office, especially PowerPoint, Excel and Word.

Soft skills

-           Excellent organisational skills & rigour;

-           Flexibility and high level of autonomy;

-           Demonstrable diplomacy and experience of institutional relations;

-           Priority and contingency and time management skills;

-           Ability to manage stress effectively; and

-           Ability to work in difficult areas and/or with difficult stakeholders.

PLACE & DURATION OF POSTING

• Place : Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
• Working Language: English
• Duration of Posting: 48 months, starting approx. September 2024

Please send your CV and cover letter to Mr Cian